I was honoured to be featured in a recent article on the Martha Stewart blog discussing a question many homeowners eventually face: what should never go into a storage unit?
“12 Items You Should Never Keep in a Storage Unit, According to Experts”
The article explores a common solution many people turn to when space becomes limited: renting a storage unit. But as the article highlighted, it also has limits. While storage facilities can be helpful during moves, downsizing, or major life transitions, they are not always the best long-term solution for every item in your home.
The piece brought together insights from professional organizers and storage experts to highlight something many people don’t realize until later…
“not everything benefits from being stored away”
Many storage units are not fully climate-controlled. Even when they are, items can still be affected by humidity changes, pests, and the simple reality of distance from the things we rely on most. Over time, even forgetfulness can turn what seemed like a convenient solution into an unnecessary expense.
As a professional organizer, I often see clients rent storage units with good intentions, only to discover months or years later that they’re paying to store items they no longer need.
This feature highlighted several types of belongings that are better stored at home, preserved in specialized environments, or thoughtfully decluttered instead.
Below are a few key takeaways from the article, along with some practical perspective from my experience working with clients across Vancouver, North Vancouver, and beyond.
* When Storage Units Become a Catch-All
One of the most common patterns I see in homes is the temptation to move unsorted belongings into storage with the intention of dealing with them later. As I shared in the article:
“The reality is that later never comes around, and it’s always pushed to another day.”
Many people move bags and boxes into storage without fully knowing what’s inside them. Once those items leave the home and disappear into a storage unit, they are far less likely to be revisited. Over time they become difficult to track, access, or even remember.
From an organizing perspective, it’s almost always better to sort first and store second. Opening boxes, grouping similar items together, and labeling clearly can prevent a storage unit from becoming a place where decisions are postponed indefinitely.
Even temporary storage works best when there is structure and visibility.
* Why “Future Hobby” Supplies Often End Up in Storage
Another situation I frequently encounter involves hobby supplies purchased with the best intentions. Painting materials, knitting kits, craft supplies, and other projects often take up space long before they are ever used. When a home begins to feel crowded, these items sometimes get moved into storage. As I explained in the article:
“If space is limited and you have not started that painting or knitting project, donating the supplies and making room for other items may be the better choice.”
Storing items connected to future plans can sometimes create distance rather than motivation. Over time, they simply become things we continue paying to store rather than things we actively use.
In many cases, letting go of supplies that haven’t been used creates far more breathing room than moving them to off-site storage.
* Other Items Experts Recommend Keeping Out of Storage Units
The article also highlighted several categories of items that experts generally advise against placing in standard storage units. Rather than focusing only on individual items, the underlying reasons tend to fall into a few categories:
- Environmental sensitivity: Items like photographs, books, fabrics, wine, and leather can deteriorate when exposed to fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.
- Pest attraction: Food, scented products like candles, and some organic materials can attract insects or rodents.
- Safety concerns: Certain items, such as large quantities of batteries or loose tires, can pose fire or safety risks in storage environments.
- Irreplaceable value: Important personal documents and sentimental keepsakes are often better stored where they remain protected and accessible.
These examples highlight an important principle: storage units are designed for durable and non-sensitive belongings, not necessarily the items we value most.
* What Are the Alternatives to Renting a Storage Unit?
When homes begin to feel crowded, renting a storage unit often appears to be the simplest solution. It can create immediate relief by moving items out of sight. But before committing to a long-term storage rental, it can be helpful to pause and consider a few questions:
- Do I actually want to keep these items?
- Are they worth paying monthly storage fees for?
- Could reorganizing my existing space create the room I need?
These questions can sometimes be difficult to answer on your own. In some cases, people seek the support of a professional organizer before committing to long-term storage. Not necessarily to eliminate storage entirely, but to make more intentional decisions about what is truly worth keeping.
An outside perspective can bring clarity to belongings that have accumulated over time. This process may involve identifying what genuinely deserves space in the home, creating simple systems that make everyday items easier to access, or finding better ways to use existing storage areas.
Some alternatives worth exploring before renting a storage unit include:
- Reconfiguring storage at home by adjusting closet layouts, shelving, or underused areas
- Decluttering items that no longer fit your lifestyle
- Rotating seasonal items so only what is currently needed remains accessible
- Digitizing paperwork or photographs to reduce physical storage needs
- Donating, selling, or passing along items that may serve someone else better
- Using trusted consignment shops or auction services for valuable items
Sometimes the outcome still includes a storage unit, particularly during life transitions such as moving, renovating, or downsizing. But other times, people discover that with a bit of thoughtful reorganization, the extra space they thought they needed already exists within their home.
A professional organizer can help identify what truly deserves space in your home, create systems that make storage easier, and reduce the need for external storage altogether. In many cases, even a short consultation can prevent years of unnecessary storage costs by helping people step back, reassess their belongings, and decide which path makes the most sense for their space and lifestyle.
Ultimately, the goal is to create homes that feel lighter, easier to maintain, and aligned with how people actually live.
*** Full credit for the original article goes to the Martha Stewart blog, which brought together insights from professionals across the organizing and storage industries. I’m grateful to have been included in the conversation and to share perspective on how thoughtful organization can help people make better decisions about what to store, what truly belongs in their everyday spaces, and what may be ready to let go.